If our review was just about Jenny's attentiveness and warmth we would have given Armantine Villa 6 stars. However, there are some problems which make the villa not perfect, especially for young children.
The house is large enough for a family or up to three couples. Everything was clean and in order. The kitchen is a cook's dream, and what was not available when we arrived was promptly supplied by Jenny. With this kitchen & the good super markets dining in was a breeze. The one minor drawback to the kitchen was the seating arrangement at the counter. The granite had no overhang so there was no area under the counter for knees. However, with three other dining options, a back porch table & 6 chairs, a formal dining room, and a front patio table with six chairs, there was no need to use the kitchen counter for dining.
All three bedrooms had very comfortable mattresses, ample dressers & closets and baths. The master bedroom & bath was especially luxurious with a multi-jetted shower great for relaxation.
Outside, the pool was perfect for cooling off and for our five year old grandson to swim without us worrying about him as the pool is shallow. The pool area offered plenty of space to enjoy both sun and shade. We especially enjoyed the colors changing as we dined in the evening.
The villa is located in the Cul de Sac area, convenient to Grand Case, the dining capital of St. Maritin, and Marigot for the wonderful Wednesday and Saturday market. It is less than a half hour drive from the airport.
We loved the above amenities, but there are some negatives which Jenny and her father Jean are addressing. 1. There are multiple steps going in and out of the house which are scary for toddlers and also very slippery when wet. We avoided them by going in and out of the garage, but it wasn't convenient. They are considering leveling this step area and installing a nonskid surface, so this may not be an issue in the future. 2. The wonderful view which the house would have is blocked by buildings which were never finished or rented. They are crumbling and should be removed. 3. The extended family owns the land around the villa and horses that graze there. The horses were great to feed and see for the children, but they have free range of the property. To walk to the beach one has to navigate their droppings. 4. The beach is covered with garbage, seaweed and horse droppings. We had to travel by car to local beaches.
Thank you Jenny & Jean!